Ornamental materials



Aug. 15, 1944. A. LYEM ORNAMENTAL MATERIALS Filed Sept. 3, 1941 INVENTOR A rr h u r L 5 e m V ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 15, 1944 mm Lyem, Cumberland, Md.,- as signor to Cclanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application SeptemberB, 1941, Serial No. 409,341

g 11 Claims. (01. 3-115) This invention relates to ornamental materials,

" and more particularly to the production of pat-- tern efiects upon a material in web form, such as films and fabrics,'having a basis of an organic derivative of cellulose.

An object of my invention is the production of pattern ,efi'ects upon a material in web form haying a basis of an organic derivative of cellulose in an expeditious and economical manner.

Another object of my invention is the production of ornamental materials wherein the pattern or design on said ornamental materials is perother cleansing operations.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawing.

Ornamental fabrics presenting a variety of patterned effects have been prepared by weaving said fabrics on special looms such as the Jacquard loom or by making the fabrics on various lace-making machines. As a result, when 'these patterned fabrics are woven they are quite costly, unless made in large quantities. Because of the fact that the setting-up and operation of looms and machines of this type must be modified for each particular pattern that is woven, and isa highly complicated and costly procedure, the looms and machines are not changed frequently.

I have now discovered that ornamental materials in web form. such as films or fabrics, hav- 7 ing a basis of an organic derivative of cellulose may be prepared in a continuous process inexpensively by locally printing said materials with a removable resist compound, subjecting said printed materials to the action of a non-volatile plasticizer for the organic derivative of cellulose manent and highly resistant to laundering and .a highly desirable omamental'patterned effect which, in a fabric which has been treated, is quite similar in appearance to fabric woven on a Jacquard loom or made on lace machines. By printing the film'or fabric with the resist compound in any desired pattern an unlimited variety of patterned effects may be obtained, which efiects are. substantially permanently set in the material and highly resistant to laundering or other cleansing. Since the resist may be applied in a relatively simple manner as bythe use of screens, stencils, blocks, rollers, etc., the patterned materials may be produced expeditiously and at comparatively low cost In lieu of applying the resist to a fabric in 'a predetermined pattern, it may also be applied at random along the length of the yarns before they are formed be subjected to treatment with plasticizer and into a fabric and the resulting fabric may then to a finishing treatment, yielding a fabric having an unusual overall patterned efi'ect.

The non-volatile plasticizers which may be eman elevated temperature. The resist-freeporric, acquiring an brgandie-like finish and the portions remaining substantially unchanged. After the materials have been dried they may be washed to remove the resist or, in"

some cases where the resistis flexible and transparentitmaybepermittedtoremainonthe' The resulting or fabric presents for example, ethyl ployed in treatingthe resist-printed organic derivative of cellulose materials in accordance with my invention may be, for example, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, dibutyl tartrate, dibutyl phthalate, ethyl phthalyl ethyl glycollate, triethyl citrate, mono-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonamide, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, diethyl phthalate, methyl phthalyl ethyl glycollate, triacetin and triprcpionin. Suitablevolatile solvents for the plasticizers which have some softening action on the organic derivative of cellulosevof the film or fabric are, alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetone. p

'l'henon-volatiie plasticizer and the solvent in which it is dissolved may be used in varying ratios when preparing the solutions which are to be employed for treating the resist Printed films and fabrics. The plasticizer may be employed in such amoimt that it comprises from 5 to by volume of the treating solution. Beferably, however, I employ the' plasticizer inamounts ranging from 20 to 40% by volume with the remainder of the solution comprising the volatile solvent.

mum of m: the Mann: solution-on the resist-printedfilm or fabric is dependent on both the length of time during which the plasticizing solution is permitted to act on the film or fabric, the temperature of the solution as it is applied and the manner and temperature of the drying step. I have found that very satisfactory results may be obtained when the plasticizing solution is maintained at from 15 to 30 C. and the contact or immersion time of the film or fabricin the plasticiizing solution varies from 1 to 30 seconds. treated material or the removal of the volatile solvent is preferably carried out by employing a drying chamber through which air heated to an elevated temperature is circulated. The circulating air may be at a temperature of from 60 to 140 C. but is preferably maintained at from 80 to 100 C.

are spun from staple fibers having a basis of an organic derivative .of cellulose blended with staple fibers of cotton, silk, wool or regenerated cellulose, so that the resulting spun yarns are only in part affected by the plasticlzing solution.

The drying of the In treating the films and fabrics, the solution of plasticizer in the volatile solvent may be applied in many ways. Bath methods may be employed or, if preferred, the solution may be applied by padding or spraying the same on to the material.-

While my invention is of particular application with regard to fabrics made of or containing yarns or fibers of cellulose acetate and to films having a basis of cellulose acetate, other organic esters of cellulose as well as ethers of cellulose may be employed. Examples of other cellulose esters are cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate and mixed esters such as cellulose acetate-propionate and cellulose acetate-butyrate, while examples of cellulose ethers are ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose.

In order further to illustrate my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying draw ing wherein there is shown, more or less diagram I matically, apparatus for carrying out my novel process.

In accordance with my invention, a roll I of a resist-printed fabric 2, which is woven of yarns of an organic derivative of cellulose, is supported on a shaft 3 and the fabric is passed over a guide roller I and into a trough 5 containing a solution 6 which comprises a plasticizer and a suitable volatile solvent therefor. The" solution inthe trough 5 may be heated or cooled to any desired temperature by suitable heating or cool ing means (not shown). The fabric 2 is then passed beneath a guide roller 1 set below the surface of the liquid and then over aguide roller .8 from which roller it passes between squeeze rpllers 9 and III which remove excess liquid from the fabric. The time during which the fabric is subjected to the action of the plasticizing solution may be varied by extending the path of the moving fabric beneath the surface of the liquid, as by employing a plurality of submerged guide rolls around which the fabric is passed and thus maintained beneath said plasticing liquid, by lengthening the trough, or where it is desired to subject the materials to only a limited plasticizing treatment the fabric may be passed between the squeeze rollers 9 and 10 directly without being submerged. Since roller ID is partly beneath the surface of the solution 6 a limited amount of liquid will be applied thereto. The solution 6 may be replenished through a pipe ll set in a hood l2, which hood covers both the trough and squeeze rollers and is positioned so that it precludes excessive evaporation of the volatile solvent. After passing through the squeeze rollers 9 and I0, the plasticized fabric 2 enters a drying chamber Hi. In the drying chamber, the moving fabric passes over a guide roller M and, after traversing the length of the chamber passes around another guide roller l5 which reverses the direction of the fabric. The drying effect in the chamber is obtained by means of heated air which is forced into the chamber by suitable blowers through entry ports (not shown) placed at suitable points in the chamber. The solventladen air leaves the top of the chamber through an opening l6 and may then be led to a suitable solvent recovery system. The dried, plasticized fabric leaves the drying chamber through thebase thereof, passes over a guide roll I! and plastic fabric roll l8 and may then be led to any suitable finishing treatment. While the apparatus has been described in connection with the treatment of the fabric, it will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to the treatment of films.

In order further to illustrate my invention, but without being limited thereto, the following examples are given:

Example I A cellulose acetate fabric of a ninon ,weave is printed in a. floral pattern with a resist comprising 5% of a polyvinyl alcohol resin in water. The fabric is then dried and subjected to the plasticizing and solvent action of a solution of 30 parts by volume of dimethoxyethyl phthalate and 70 parts by volume of ethyl alcohol maintained at 20 to 25 C., the time of treatment being about 5 seconds. After the fabric is passed through the squeeze rollers, as described, it is dried in the drying chamber by means of circulating air-which has been heated to C. The fabric is then given a finishing treatment. The resulting fabric presents a pleasing floral design comprising unchanged fabric on a background of fabric which now has a crisp, organdie-like finish.

Example II A cellulose acetate fabric of a satin weave .is printed in a suitable pattern with a reserve paste of 10% gum arabic. This fabric is then subjected to plastlfication with a solution of 25 parts by volume of dimethyl phthalate and 65 parts by volume of xylene and 10 parts by volume of acetone at a temperature of 15 to 20 C. for a period of about 10 seconds. After squeezing, the fabric is dried in a drying cabinet at C. by means of circulating air and the procedure carried out in full width in one continuous operation, after which the material'is given a finishing treatment if desired. This and does not fray.

Example m A cellulose acetate film is printed in asuitable design with of albumen in water. This film is then subjected to a plasticizing treatment and to the solvent action of a solution containing 40 of a non-volatile plasticizer for said'cellulose aceparts by volume of triethyl citrate and 60 parts employed where decorative effects are desired.'

Thus, for example, they may be employed for decorative sheets and wrappings, as lamp shades and, when cut to any desired shape, as place mats for table settings. I i

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is merely given by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention. i

' Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Process for the production of materials presenting ornamental effects, which comprises locally applying a water-soluble resist to sheet material having a basis of, an organic derivative of cellulose, treating said sheet. material with a.

solution of anon-volatile plasticizer'for said orto sheet material having a basis of cellulose acetate, treating said sheet material with a solution tate in a volatile solvent for said plasticizer, said volatile solvent having at least some softening action on said cellulose'acetate, so as to effect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said material, drying said material at elevated temperature to remove said volatile solvent and then washing the material to remove said polyvinyl alcohol resin resist. I

5. Process for the production of materials presenting ornamental effects, which comprises locally applying a polyvinyl alcohol resin resist to a material in'web form having a basis of an organic derivative of cellulose, subjecting said material to the action of a solution of dimethoxyethyl phthalate in ethyl alcohol so as to effect a .softening and 'plasticizing action on the uncoated locally applying a polyvinyl alcohol resin resist tov a fabric containing yarns of cellulose acetate,

- subjecting said fabric to the action of a solution the uncoated portion of said fabric, drying said fabric'atelevated temperature to remove said volatile solventand then washing the fabric to for said plasticizer, said volatile solvent having .at least some softening action on said organ c derivative of cellulose, so as to effect a softening and plasticizing action. on the uncoated portion of said material, drying said material at 'elevated temperature to remove said volatile solvent and then washing the material to remove safd'watersaid sheet material witha solution of a non--' volatile plasticizer for said cellulose acetate in a volatile solvent for said plasticizer, said. volatile solvent, having at ieast some softening action on said cellulose acetate so as to eflect a soften ng .and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said material, drying said material at elevdted temperature to remove said volatile solvent and then washing the material to remove said watersoluble resist.

3. Process for the production of materials presenting ornamental effects, which comprises locally applying a polyvinyl alcohol resin resist 'to sheet material having a basis'of an organic derivative of cellulose, treating said sheet material with a solution of anon-volatile plasticizer for said organic derivativeof cellulose in a ,volatile solvent for said plasticizer, said voltatile solvent having at least some softening action on said organic derivative of cellulose, so as to effect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion. of said material, drying said material at elevatedtemperature to remove saidvolatile. sol- ,vent and then washing the material to remove said polyvinyl alcohol resin resist.

4. Process for the production of materials proremove said polyvinyl alcohol resin resist.

7. Process for the production of fabrics presentlng ornamental effects, which comprises locally applying .a polyvinyl alcohol resin" resist to a fabric containing yarns of cellulose acetate.

subjectingjsaid fabric to the action of a solution of 30 parts by volume of dimethoxyethyl phthalate in parts by volume of ethyl alcohol so as to 'eflect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said fabric, drying said fabric at elevated temperature to remove said ethyl alco 1101 and then washing the fabric to remove said polyvinyl alcohol resin resist.

8. Process for the production of fabrics presenting ornamental effects, which compriseslocally applying a polyvinyl alcohol resin resist to a fabric containing yarns of cellulose acetate, subjecting said fabric to the action ofsa solution of 30 parts by volume of dimethoxyethyl phthalate in 70 parts by volume of ethyl alcohol maintained at 20 to 25 C. for from 1 to 30 seconds so as to eflect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said fabric, drying said fabric at a temperature of from to C. to remove said ethyl alcohol and then washing-the fabric to remove said polyvinyl alcohol re'sin resist.

9. Process for the production of materials presenting ormamental effects, which comprises locally applying a water-soluble resist to a materialin web form having a basis of cellulose ace,-

tate, subjecting said material to the action of a' solution of dimethyl phthalate in xylene and ace tone so as to effect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said material,

' drying said material at elevated temperature to senting ornamental effects, which comprises locally applying a polyvinyl alcohol resin resist locally applying a water-soluble resist to a mateing ornamental eifects, which comprises locally m applying an albumen resist to a film having a basis of cellulose acetate, subjecting said film to the action of a solution of dimethyl phthalate in xylene and acetone so as to effect a softening and plasticizing action on the uncoated portion of said film, drying said film at elevated temperature to remove said xylene and acetone and then washing said film to remove said albumen resist.

ARTHUR LYEM. 

